Christina should approve Wilmington schools plan: Editorial

The Christina School Board postponed a vote on its plan with the state to consolidate its Wilmington schools. Board members said the vote should take place at a meeting more accessible to Wilmington residents and continued to parse its details.
William Bretzger/The News Journal

It is understandable that parents and educators are worried about disruption — the plan would condense five elementary and middle schools into two. And, given the debacles of previous state-led school reforms, you can forgive some amount of wariness among district officials.

Christina board member George Evans' comparison to a building on fire aptly describes how urgent the problem is. In some of the district's Wilmington schools, the percentage of students proficient in math and reading is in the single digits — that is simply unconscionable.

For decades, city advocates have been crying out for more resources to help educators deal with the effects of poverty. This plan does not give everything those advocates want, but it does give some.

A few of the benefits Christina could earn if its board members vote yes: $15 million in renovations to the new schools; health centers; smaller class sizes in some grades; extra teacher training; early education programs.

These benefits are worth the transition costs, particularly given that many of the district's city buildings are drastically under-used.

Board members are not wrong that this is an incremental improvement, not the revolution that is so desperately needed. This agreement won't fix an inequitable school funding system. It won't remedy the fact that city schools are disproportionally staffed with novice teachers.

Even if this plan is implemented, the problems illustrated in the ACLU's recent lawsuit will still exist. City students will still be starting the academic race at a steep disadvantage.

But perfect should not be the enemy of the good. And Christina shouldn't wait to take steps toward progress in the absence of larger reforms.

Wilmington's kids have gone far too long without any meaningful improvements to their schools. This is a chance to take at least one step in the right direction.

Christina should take it.

The News Journal's editorial opinions are decided by its editorial board, which is separate from the news staff.